“Repeal and replace” is the fraud we always knew it would be

I think I finally get it. Conservatives are all about conserving stuff, so that means in the American political charade, Conservatives are all about conserving what Democrats put in place last go-round.

At least, that’s what I take from reading the specs on this American Healthcare Act, allegedly designed to repeal and replace Obamacare. Well, I guess it’s technically correct if what they meant is, repeal Obamacare and replace it with Obamacare.

Make no mistake, this is Obamacare lite, and Paul Ryan is Nancy Pelosi lite, bragging, “We kept our promise.”

Probably the worst provision in the new bill is the sleight of hand move that erases the tax penalties for not having insurance. Yay! you say. But the bill turns right around and gives the same power to the insurance companies—to raise your premiums by 30 percent. So, it removes the penalty from under one shell and places it under another: but it’s still there. They can brag that they got rid of “the mandate,” but the stick is still there.

Now, think about it: this is one of the unpopular features of Obamacare. If they’re essentially finding a way to keep that while hiding it, they are quite open about keeping the “popular” provisions: the pass for preexisting conditions, the ban on lifetime coverage caps, and that “children” can stay on their parents’ plan until they’re twenty-six years old. All of these things costs taxpayers dearly.

Likewise, the once-dreaded Obamacare “exchanges” will stay. Then more sleight of hand: while pretending to do away with Obamacare “subsidies,” the bill provides a whopping $100 billion over ten years for States to use in any of a few creative ways to bail out patients or insurers in high-risk or burdened cases. There’s a word for that: subsidy.

With deceptive nonsense like this, it’s no wonder Jim Jordan (R-OH) ripped the bill as “Obamacare in a different form.”

He’s right, and he’s not the only one to notice. The left has, too. The far-left liberals over at Vox even make a bullet-point of it:

The bill looks a lot more like Obamacare than previous drafts. A curious thing has happened to the Republican replacement plan as it has evolved through multiple drafts: it has begun to look more and more like Obamacare itself. . . .

With hundred-billion dollar subsidies, health care exchanges, and mandate-penalties under a different name, and liberals all-but cheering, there’s yet one more key indicator how poor this replacement is. By all accounts, the big test to come is how the Congressional Budget Office will score its cost for American taxpayers.

Think about that: the fact that the cost-factor is even remotely a question for a bill that is supposed to repeal the behemoth Obamacare is very telling. It should be a slam-dunk. Repeal it, and save $1.2 Trillion over ten years. How hard is that? How could any even substantial replacement bill come anywhere near that mark? Yet for the AHCA, it is a question. It is so much a question that liberals like Nancy Pelosi are using it as a point of criticism: we don’t know how much this replacement bill will cost taxpayers. Gasp!

Since when did such Democrats ever care about the cost of subsidies? Since Republicans were dumb enough to give them the ammunition, that’s when. But moreover, this problem just shows how close the replacement is to the original.

Everything about this bill speaks of one underlying phenomenon: establishment Republicans in moderate districts and states want to get reelected. If they took a stand on principle and supported a bill that “deprived millions of people of health care,” and beset millennials from mama’s insurance, they are absolutely terrified the left will get energized and have the leverage to defeat them in the next election.

But they’ve got a promise to keep. So, they’re taking their chances that their conservative constituencies are either naïve, not paying attention, or as compromised as they are. They stand behind the lectern boasting, “We kept our promise,” when they have done nothing anywhere near the sort. It is a lie, and conservative voters need to hold them accountable for it. They’re gambling that conservatives will give them a pass and reelect them once again anyway, holding their nose. Throw the social conservatives a bone with “Defund Planned Parenthood,” and it’s a cinch.

These compromisers are unlike the liberal lawmakers. Obama asked them point-blank to stand on their principle and take the fall, knowing their support for Obamacare would cost them reelection. And they did. We need more of the guys claiming to be on our side willing to sacrifice for our principles. We need more guys to mimic the Democrats’ sacrificial courage instead of their policies.

Now, granted, the Speaker’s propaganda page says this is a “stable transition to a patient-centered system” so “no one has the rug pulled out from under them.” I don’t buy it, but if this is true, the bill needs to be amended to include what the end-game is and exactly the steps to get there. End the exchanges over 5 years. End the penalties step-by-step over 5 years. End the subsidies over 5-years. If they won’t agree to include such provisions in a purported “transition” bill, they’re not serious about it. It is a “transition” to nowhere, and we’ll still have socialized health care.

Voters and conservative lawmakers need to fight hard against this. We need to thunder in town halls every bit as much as we did when Obamacare was the issue, only let our own guys hear it this time. For conservative lawmakers, if your establishment colleagues won’t at the very least amend the bill as just mentioned, then vote against it. The establishment guys are an embarrassment to conservatism. Refuse your consent. Don’t be part of the embarrassment.

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Ryan and the other treasonous rinos can NEVER be trusted to act in the interests of We the People. This proposed bill must be put where it belongs; in the trash along with the rinos pushing it.

Je_Sui_Pepe

Half of these so called republicans are democrats who ran under the gop moniker OR are blackmailed pedophiles… they have been supporting the NWO agenda for years. Obamacare was all about controlling us.

Stephen Dunham

One of G K Chesterton’s famous quotes is just as relevant today as when he said it nearly 100 years ago. ” The whole world has divided itself into Conservatives and Progressives. The business of Progressives is to go on making mistakes. The business of Conservatives is to prevent mistakes from being corrected.

NOUNBELIEVER

Ryan rolls in his RINO shoes””all the lies of Obama…dressed in new manure…guess the old establishment has major investments in insurance industry…now given PERMISSION to charge 30 % MORE …WITH NO LIMIT !!!!! RYAN RUBBER NECKING THE DEMO KNEE CRAWLERS

Pk Mitchell

Ryan is a poison pill, he MUST be removed from office.

Hes not married to a raging liberal by mistake.

Ah nutz

Ryan , you’re such an ars hole= it needs 100% gone-nothing less.

Robert Trebes

I have written blogs for years…It makes no difference if you are a Democrat of Republican, both ‘Parties’ fight for control of the Washington Beltway, but neither party is willing to enact the ‘Will of the People’! They will continue to do the will of the Special Interest’s and rebuke the ‘Will of the People’! The Republican’s promised if you put us back in control, we will Repeal & Replace Obama Care…They are now in control of both houses and the White House…Both ‘Houses’ are laughing at the ‘Voter’ for falling for their ‘Lip Service’ AGAIN, they will NOT Repeal & Replace Obama Care, this is just the same old ‘Pork’ with a new overcoat that will still have total control over your life! SSDD!

Mike_Travis

Robert, I agree. The gop has lied to We the People for decades giving us empty promises then once in power doing whatever they want. Time to really drain the swamp, including this bill which will not solve anything, but it WILL maintain much of what is wrong with Ovomitcare.

Robert Trebes

Mike_Travis, I believe the ‘Politicians’ in Both Parties feel the American People are to ‘Dumbed Down’ so they can’t understand that ‘They’ are about to be ‘Sold Out’ again! Guess What?…They will find out in 2018 that ‘We the People’ are smart enough to VOTE all the RINO’S out!

crushlimbraw

Well, Dr. Joel – welcome to the club – of discovering the real GOP/Conservatives. You have assessed them correctly – they are largely from moderate districts which means that re-election by moderate voters is ‘uber-alles’!
Moderates are one step above Leftist trained donkeys – they are clueless ‘wishing and hopin’ Conservatives/Christians who send their children to public schools – from which they emerge as trained donkeys of the Left.
That cycle has been going on for decades.
However, it remains to be seen where this specific bill ends up. Keep in mind that Trump promised across state line insurance purchasing.
We’ll see how it all comes out – not only with Obamacare, but with the whole 2016 election enchilada.
I can promise you this – if Trump fails, the next presidential candidate will be King Kong himself!

Louis Charles

this “fight” is getting stale. If the advent of The Donald is really showing “conservatives” the true colors of their elephant religion. GOP = Gullible, Oppressive and Pandering.

liberty49

This is just the swamp building a ramp that is based on quicksand! This is NOT the REPEAL OF OBAMACARE that was promised!

daves

President Trump has promised a new plan that will cover everyone and cost less. This has put Republicans in an impossible position.

Louis Charles

I don’t see how anything a government provides or promises will ever “cost less”. No one does. He should have simply left it at “Repeal Obamacare”…

daves

That would leave millions of Americans without health insurance. President Trump promised not to do that.

Louis Charles

What if the taxpayers just said NO MORE! ? Then what would parasiteAmerica do? Trump can only promise what taxpayers are willing to enslave themselves for. Yes… why not? Everyone in America is “entitled” to be taken care of from cradle to grave. Just put a gun to the working man’s head and steal his assets as he squeals like a pig. No problem, right? Come feed at the trough… free cheese and goodies for everyone! So daves: STFU YOU MAGGOT.

daves

There are too many of us tax payers that want our taxes spent to help our fellow Americans more than bombing other people. Your scenario won’t happen.

Louis Charles

GOOD YOU STUPID SLAVE… enjoy your subjugation. I’ll give my charity to my church while you cry out NO KING BUT CAESAR!

daves

You want to live in this country you play by the rules. There are plenty of countries willing to let citizens starve if that’s what you’re looking for.

Louis Charles

THIS country’s rules are outlined by our Constitution. Our government is to be C1ONSTRAINED by it. Where does this Constitution authorize it’s government to be involved in any sort of insurance gig, or charity op? IT DOESN’T. Article 1, Sec. 8 and 9. NO BILLS OF ATTAINDER

daves

bill of attainder
noun
an act of legislature finding a person guilty of treason or felony without trial.

Louis Charles

a “trial” in equity court, or an admiralty court tribunal doesn’t count in this context. …where “the crown’s” statutes and previous legal decisions are the standard. Oh, poor daves, you are so far out of the loop. But I’ll figure your heart is in the right place. LOL I can now understand how Jesus felt at His end when He asked His Father to have pity on their absolute ignorance.

daves

You’re right, I have no clue why you mentioned a bill of attainder.

Louis Charles

you would have served us all well if you simply cut off your communication right at “clue”.

Puriah

When they started touting “Repeal and Replace” instead of just Repealing, I knew we were in trouble.

Louis Charles

interesting name. What is the origin?

Mike_Travis

daves, how did you get out of your cell. Go back and take your meds like a good little liberal.

daves

Do you deny that President Trump made that promise?

PPTA

Paul Ryan is holding up Obama Care Lite. The taxes do not go away and the costs do not come down. Just repeal Obama care and start over. Make a clean sweep. Paul Ryan and McConnell are RINO Establishment politicians. They claim to be Republicans bit are actually part of the Globalist movement. Just look at their voting records. All RINOS are Globalist Traitors and need to be gotten rid of.

Louis Charles

The funny thing is how you cite RINOs as the problem. Show me the list of GOP congressman who simply want to repeal O’care and replace it with nothing… I can think of perhaps, 3. It seems a bit silly to label the others RINOs. This level of complicity changes the concept of “in name only.” Socialized medicine is as acceptable to the GOP as it is to the Dems. This has nothing to do with “establishment” politicians. This has to do with a consistent ideology of “cradle to grave” babysitting throughout this party. Trump is exposing far more than “the establishment”.

coleche

All their doing is putting lipstick on the pig!

mattwm

The author of this article clearly does not understand free markets, the insurance industry, or the healthcare industry. His real motives are to attack any bill put forward so that Obamacare stays as it is. There is a big difference between a tax, which only government can influence, and an insurance premium on the free market, which is of course controlled by the free markets. This was the first step toward a the best law, just as Ryan has said, and it is up to OPEN debate, unlike Obamacare was. So, nice try Dr McDurmon, but Obamacare will be repealed and a better system put in it’s place.

coleche

We need the Government completely out of this crap.

MattB81

It would be nice but you can’t just flip that switch, sure lets do it pull all out completely overnight. Guess what, you’ve just given the bleeding hearts everything they need to show the nightmare scenario and you’ve lost every future election to the liberals because you’re the group that took away medical coverage for millions.

Yes we need out, first we need to open the marketplace to bring down costs so that people want to move off of it. We need to do that without creating the nightmare scenario that is being given to people. It’s not an overnight fix, that’s been the issue with the ACA from the beginning.

Mike_Travis

Matt, show me ONE thing congress has “fixed”. I don’t think you can which is one reason of many this bill is nothing more than a pig with lipstick, one that will continue to devour America. But only if we are foolish to let it.

coleche

It was the liberals that shoved obamacare down the throat of the nation

Sam

How do you know Dr. McDurmon’s desire is to keep Obamacare as it is? That’s a pretty heavy accusation without any substantiation to back it up. From reading his much of his previous work, I’m pretty confident in saying he does NOT support Obamacare.

I’m also critical of the idea that free markets dictate what happens in the insurance industry. Once the sanctioning power of the state is behind an insurance company’s decision to increase premiums 30% for someone who previously had no coverage, does the free market really exert any power there? Sorry, but I just don’t see any free market there. Government influence doesn’t allow it.

Like Dr. McDurmon, I am not at all optimistic that this is a step toward a better system. The GOP track record is pretty dismal, and “conservative Republicans” have become predictable. The way this healthcare debacle is looking right now, it appears to be same book, next chapter. Republicans aren’t truly interested in repealing Obamacare and putting control of healthcare into the hands of the free market. What evidence is there that I should believe otherwise? (Rhetoric is not evidence.) What has the GOP really done recently to reverse the overwhelming trend toward socialism, liberalism, abortion, and all the other things we “conservatives” decry? I’d like to be hopeful like you, mattwm, but I’ve been fooled enough times, and I’m not up for believing them again.

MattB81

I’m not confident in that, and I find myself agreeing with @mattwm:disqus.

There is nothing that says they will increase their premiums 30%, this is an estimate on how high they could since the cap is removed. Or do you believe that no business can provide a service or product for a reasonable price without the government capping their profit margins? No sanctioning body is dictating they increase their rates, or saying it’s OK for them too, what’s happening is they’re coming off the idea they they can’t. Of course the best example is any product you can buy online, look at how the intense online global market places has shrunk the profit margins of so many products and services forcing companies to focus on quantity rather than profit per item. Now realize also in the bill there is an increase to the marketplace size since it opens the borders, the market is effectively now 1000 times larger under the new bill, do you not think they will be able to compete.

Let me give you another example, airfare, companies like Southwest, Jet Blue, and other small carriers have been flourishing over the past decade. In no small part because the free market allowed them to capitalize on the fact that their competitors were looking for ways to nickel and dime their customers to death. As a reaction those insane airfare prices ended up coming back down to reasonable levels. Their profits aren’t capped, but they can’t just charge whatever they want because in the magic of a free market someone else will come in and offer a competitive product or service for a cheaper price to pluck your customers.

So – no – there will be no 30% increase in premiums. Also as it was said there’s a huge difference between premium increases on an optional service and taxes as a penalty for not buying a service.

See the beauty is it REMOVES the government influence.

The only reason it “appears” to be the next chapter is because of writers like this telling you it is. Of course to do so they have taken the path of good ole Nancy Pelosi – judge it without reading all of it. Yup, that worked, we hated her for it, so lets ignore when people like this do the same.

The exchanges aren’t what they were under ACA, instead it’s a market place, a true market place. Think of it like Amazon. Any provider can get on there, any provider can offer their service or product, they have to compete with the others though on there. Do you understand why products are so cheap on Amazon? As it happens each product has a few dozen selling companies, this means the all have to compete with each other on things like price, quality and features. See as it happens you product will be listed above, below, and next to your competitors. So again, it’s a little different from a market place with 1 or 2 options from companies that don’t actually have to compete because you have no choice but to buy and there is no ability for a competing company to take their business.

As to the subsidies, it’s the one thing I don’t entirely agree on but the it continues the medicare expansion. Yes that’s politics folks, the truth is you don’t always get 100% of what you want. Now the thing is that this money goes to the states, and it’s how the states choose to use it that matters. So what needs to happen there is – stop making it the Federal Government’s problem and start also looking at your state governments to put the restrictions in place for government assistance.

The idea is that the expansion keeps Democrats from shelling the outright lies to the people. You can’t claim we’re kicking people off when we’re not. The idea though is that restrictions at the state levels combined with lowering costs in the free market will push people off of it instead.

Mike_Travis

matt, the gop had a bill to repeal Ovomitcare in 2015 but of course Ovomit would never sign it. THis current bill is nothing like the 2015 bill though the gop is ignoring that fact so they can continue to push the country further to communism while pretending to be “conservative”. IF ytou look at the meaning of conservative, it is to maintain the status quo. That is precisely what the gop has been doing for decades, and this bill is no different.

Because you drank to gop kool aid, don’t tell the rest of us what you THINK this bill will do. I don’t trust any elected serpent to keep their word so why should we take their word that this bill will do what they say, especially after the various committees get through “reconciling” it.

No, the game is up and the gop knows it.

Reid

The author of this comment, mattwm, clearly does not understand free markets, the insurance industry, or the healthcare industry. His real motives are to attack any article put forward so that either Obamacare or Trumpcare stays as it is. There is no meaningful difference between a tax, which only government can impose, and an insurance premium on the fascist market, which is of course is not controlled by the free markets. This was the first step toward a 100% socialist so-called “law,” just as Ryan has avoided saying, and it is up to CLOSE debate, much like Obamacare was. So, nice try mattwm, but Obamacare will be repealed and a neatly identical system put in it’s [sic] place.